New Foundation Board Members Give Back 

Bellevue College is in the business of making lives better. Now, two local businesswomen have joined the Bellevue College Foundation Board of Directors to give back to a college that, they say, has had such an impact on their lives. 

Brandy Slade, who works at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, and Sarah McLamb Virgilio, of Zillow in Seattle, joined the Foundation board of directors this summer. The Bellevue College Foundation works to fundraise and provide scholarships and other financial support to students and the college community.  

Not only is Slade someone who hires Bellevue College grads, she’s also a Bellevue College parent. McLamb Virgilio knows first-hand the value of a Bellevue College education as a recent attendee. Both are eager to apply their expertise, energy, and strategic minds to the task of raising and distributing money for student success because they know well the value of the college to their personal lives. 

Slade: Deep Connections to Bellevue College 

Slade, of Bellevue, has 22 years of nursing experience and 15 years in leadership roles, so she’s ready to join the Foundation board in its mission to help even more students. In her professional life, she currently serves as the Director of Medical-Surgical Nursing and Clinical Education/Professional Development at Overlake Hospital. In that role, she provides strategic and operational leadership for several areas, including General Surgery/Bariatric Center of Excellence, Medical Unit, Orthopedic/Joint Trauma Unit, Clinical Education, and Dialysis Services.  

Slade also oversees Overlake Hospital’s Nursing Residency Program and student clinical placements. As part of that role, she has seen firsthand the strength of Bellevue College nursing students’ preparation and knowledge.  

She’s also a mom.   

“My son is currently a student in Bellevue College’s Computer Science program,” Slade said. “So, I’m not just professionally invested in Bellevue College’s success; I’m also cheering it on as a proud parent.” 

Slade’s own educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA, and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Walden University. She’s lived all over the south, and is the eldest of six children in a military family; leadership skills were baked in. 

 “My upbringing has shaped my adaptability, resilience, and passion for serving diverse communities,” Slade said. “Bellevue College Foundation is the perfect opportunity for me to apply that service ethic to a larger population.” 

McLamb Virgilio: Getting Ahead by Giving Back  

McLamb, of Issaquah, started her career in Public Relations in Washington, D.C. after graduating from American University.  

Shortly after graduating, due to the challenging economy, she attended Bellevue College’s Continuing Education Program in Human Resources and Project Management to discover new opportunities.  

Today, she’s a Senior Program Manager in Zillow’s Human Resources and Project Management department. She started at Zillow a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic and built the infrastructure to support virtual onboarding. After a 2-year stint at Discord, where she led the Learning and Development function, she “boomeranged” back to Zillow where she now optimizes employee effectiveness in a distributed environment through technology and processes.  

Her adaptable nature stems from a childhood with many family moves. McLamb was born in Korea and adopted at the age of four months.  

“I had the opportunity to live in multiple locations, including Pennsylvania, Belgium, France, Washington, Minnesota, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.,” said McLamb. “These experiences shaped my adaptability, cultural awareness, and global perspective.”  

Because of her positive career trajectory that Bellevue College made possible, and a lifelong commitment to service, she’s excited about joining the Foundation Board.  

“I was nominated by my friend and current board member, Andrew Baumann, whose positive experiences inspired me to get involved,” she said. “Serving on the Foundation board aligns with my values and provides a meaningful way to give back to a community that played a key role in my professional development.” 

Community service has always been a core part of her life. She recently served as a mentor for Braven, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting first-generation and low-income college students with career development, and volunteers with the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center, advocating for survivors and systemic change.  

Her previous education included a double major in French and Public Relations from American University. 

New Board Members Committed to Expanding Foundation’s Reach 

Both Slade and McLamb Virgilio express their desire to help the Foundation reach more students and remove financial challenges.  

“While serving on the board, I hope to contribute to initiatives that enhance access, equity, and student success,” McLamb Virgilio said. 

Slade is similarly inspired. 

“My goal is to be a strong advocate for Bellevue College’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities,” Slade said. “I’m especially passionate about supporting financial stewardship and building meaningful relationships that expand opportunities for students and help shape a future where every student feels supported, inspired, and equipped to thrive.”